Servite: Christian Service Policies/FAQ's

Guidelines and Acceptable Forms of Christian Service Hours at Servite High School

• Complete 12.5 or more hours per semester, 25 or more per year

• Hours can be completed in the summer and count for your rising year and towards graduation. Example) Hours completed in the summer between sophomore and junior years count for junior year.

• Service hours related to class service projects should be focused on the project guidelines and not in line with “one-off” hours, and must be approved by Campus Ministry

• Other service hours not related to the project may be completed as well, and added to your total for the graduation requirement

• Students may invest hours with one or more groups/opportunities; however, it is recommended to focus on one.

  • For example, for the Freshman Servite Project, the final product is a video, which should focus on one service opportunity.

  • Other class projects, such as the Sophomore Works of Mercy, lend themselves to multiple opportunities.

• Students should endeavor to build relationships and meet genuine needs in the community, serve in ways that are interesting to them and helpful to others, and consider pursuing service that could possibly be connected to a future career.

• Students should always document their work via video and pictures, and in the case of the freshman project, an interview with their supervisor. *Very important: make sure to communicate with your service supervisors well ahead of due dates for interviews and their verification of service hours via email!*

• Students should not wait until the last minute!

• All students will be required to complete service hours related to class service projects, even if they have already met their yearly or graduation requirement. Service projects are part of the Theology curriculum. Students will have the opportunity to begin these service hours the summer before their rising year, as long as their service is approved beforehand by Campus Ministry.

In general, service hours during the freshman through junior years should be outwardly focused and not be:

• Working for your family or the family business

• Babysitting (and/or dog-sitting) for immediate family

• Any service where you get paid

• Any service that is simply office work (filing papers, making copies, answering phones), unless this can be justified via a conversation with Campus Ministry beforehand.

• Any service that is done for your sports team or after-school activity, unless you can justify it (outward focus as opposed to inward)

• If you have any questions, please talk to Campus Ministry.

Senior Service Hours

Seniors will have an exception to the above guidelines in that they will be able to complete domestic service in their neighborhoods, communities, and homes. Seniors are challenged to practice serving and leading in their domestic church: at home and in their neighborhood, offering help to their families and neighbors. As faith-filled leaders and potentially future husbands and fathers, it is important for young men to understand how to lead their family through tackling chores, running errands, doing laundry, watching their siblings, etc. These are expectations any respectful son should meet, but are also opportunities for the formation of men who love and serve as called by Christ.